PBMichiganWolverine
Virginia Distillery Co. Rum Cask Finished Virginia-Highland Whisky
Blended Malt — Multiple Countries
Reviewed
January 18, 2020 (edited January 30, 2020)
One day, when I retire, one of the bucket list items I have is to drive across this great beautiful nation of ours and visit every major distillery in each state. But, until that time comes, I’ll have to be content in trying samples from various ones as I find them. This one was sent to me by @jonwilkinson7309 ( thanks Jon!).
Virginia isn’t up there in the distilling scene like Colorado, New York, or California, and they’re probably known more for their craft beer than whiskey. But I’m glad to see this one, although technically they’ve been sourcing from Scotland while they produce and age theirs I think. This particular one is a limited version, age unknown ( but I’m guessing young), with a 8-12 month rum cask finish. I’ve not had many rum cask finishes, but the ones I did have, I wasn’t a fan ( Balvenie and Glenfiddich come to mind). Personally, I found the rum casks overly sweet or not doing much to the base spirit. I’m finding the similar situation here :
Nose is a bit sharp. You know it’s young and can benefit some time more in the barrel.
Taste...not getting rum. More of a bread-y malty taste, some sharpness towards the end. Youth is so evident in this...thinking something else besides rum would’ve helped cover the age ( sherry? Red wine?)
Interesting, but if you like rum finishes ( I don’t personally), try the Balvenie Caribbean cask instead. It comes with an age statement (14yr), and similar price point ($60).
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@LeeEvolved its like those fall Woodford releases...we’re paying for their successful and failed experiments
Nice review. I haven’t seen this one on shelves near me, but now I don’t need to spend the money to try it. Va Distllery Co finally settled with the Scotch Malt Whisky Assoc and is removing the Highland language from their bottles. If only they’d drop the price along with the lingo. $60 for these experimental finishing casks is ridiculous- although I did enjoy the Cider Cask version.
@1901 @jonwilkinson7309 i think if they really want to impart a rum taste, they need stronger casks, like those used to age Caroni. It’s heavier, which might make a difference
Nice review. Same experience for me so far with rum cask finishes - overly sweet and not really adding much else to the spirit
I was also disappointed with this one. Their port cask finished version is pretty good - the port finish probably masked some of the more youthful aspects. The more rum finished whiskeys I try, the more I'm convinced that rum casks may accent a whiskey, but will never transform it. Here the base spirit needed something far more radical.
@Ctrexman i totally agree. I feel that we’re paying for experimentation, good or not—so-good results.
I find these craft offerings typically too young playing the little guy card to justify pricing. This goes for bourbon as well. If you're gonna put out a young malted barley product best have some peat to back it up imo